Chelsea have suffered another untimely injury blow, with summer signing Dario Essugo being ruled out for three months with a thigh problem.

• Portuguese midfielder picked up knock
• Decision taken to undergo an operation
• Not expected to be back until into 2026

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Said fitness setback, which was picked up while on international duty with the Portugal U21 squad, has forced the 20-year-old midfielder to undergo an operation. It was determined that surgery was required after a full medical assessment.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  reports on how Essugo is expected to be sidelined until 2026. He made three appearances for Chelsea at the FIFA Club World Cup after joining from Sporting in an £18.5 million ($25m) transfer.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The Blues had drafted Essugo in to provide cover for Moises Caicedo, allowing the all-action Ecuadorian to be rested and rotated as his hectic workload for club and country is carefully managed. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca must now revise those plans.

• WHAT ESSUGO SAID

  Essugo posted on Instagram after picking up the knock: “Unfortunately, during this international break with the national team I felt something in my thigh that will keep me out for a while. It’s frustrating to start the season like this, but I truly believe everything happens for a reason. I’ll be back stronger.”

Tags: Futebol
Category: News